I think sonically it is far from what i'd expected, but i can't blame Will for that. Its just the way music sounds today. I don't like the genre mix, which also tops the genre diversity on Born to Reign. It may be his most ambitious project from an artistic and personal point of view, but as a hip-hop fan it doesn't meet my taste.
Content wise he is saying more than he has ever said and his statements are more personal than ever. I was used to the uplifting positive vibes Will was putting his attention to on his previous albums. When he made music, he always put his listeners first. With this project its just about him, his ideas and how he feels. Maybe it'll sound a little bit provocative, but its kinda like a red table talk album. Honestly i am not that into his personal life problems. And the way he handled it was also a bit problematic (i really didnt want to know a lot of things they were openly talking about). Artistically it's cool that he's using music to deal with it, but as a fan it's just not what i want from Will Smith as a rapper.
Overall I would rank this album as his weakest solo album.
1. BWS
2. Willenium
3. Lost & Found
4. Born to Reign
5. BOATS
From a technical/lyrical point of view and his flow i think this is the best he has ever done. His voice is still not there and you can feel that he's been out of the game for two decades. Back in the day he was a lot smoother, now his voice sounds a bit pushed.